HB 1645-FN – AS AMENDED BY THE HOUSE
15Feb2006… 0747h
2006 SESSION
05/09
HOUSE BILL 1645-FN
AN ACT relative to fireworks display permits, the position of permissible fireworks inspector, and the sale of permissible fireworks.
COMMITTEE: Criminal Justice and Public Safety
This bill:
I. Requires that the display permit be submitted to the department of safety at least 48 hours prior to the display.
II. Makes the position of permissible fireworks inspector a full-time, rather than seasonal, position.
III. Lowers the minimum age to sell permissible fireworks from 18 to 16 years of age.
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Explanation: Matter added to current law appears in bold italics.
Matter removed from current law appears [in brackets and struckthrough.]
Matter which is either (a) all new or (b) repealed and reenacted appears in regular type.
15Feb2006… 0747h
06-2491
05/09
STATE OF NEW HAMPSHIRE
In the Year of Our Lord Two Thousand Six
AN ACT relative to fireworks display permits, the position of permissible fireworks inspector, and the sale of permissible fireworks.
Be it Enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives in General Court convened:
1 Requirements for the Display of Fireworks; Permit Fee. Amend RSA 160-B:7, V to read as follows:
V. An application for a display permit shall be made in writing at least 15 days in advance of the date of the display. The town, city, or village district may charge a reasonable fee for a permit to display fireworks. No display permit granted under this section shall be transferable, and each display permit shall be valid for only one display to be held on the date permitted. If, in the opinion of the chief of the fire department, conditions deteriorate during the 15 days before the date for which such permit is granted so that a fire hazard exists, the chief may revoke the permit. At least 48 hours prior to the date of display, the operator of the display shall transmit a copy of the completed display permit, approved by the town, city, or village district, to the department of safety.
2 Permissible Fireworks Inspector. Amend the introductory paragraph of RSA 160-C:17 to read as follows:
160-C:17 Permissible Fireworks Inspector. There is hereby established in the office of the state fire marshal the [seasonal] full-time classified position of permissible fireworks inspector. The permissible fireworks inspector shall be under the direction and supervision of the state fire marshal and shall:
3 Minimum Age for Sale of Permissible Fireworks. Amend RSA 160-C:3, VIII to read as follows:
VIII. No person under the age of 21 shall be engaged in the business of handling or selling any permissible fireworks; provided, however, that a person less than 21 years of age but at least [18] 16 years of age may handle and sell permissible fireworks at a licensed sales location if he or she is under the direct supervision of a person 21 years of age or older.
4 Effective Date. This act shall take effect July 1, 2006.
LBAO
06-2491
Amended 2/27/06
HB 1645 FISCAL NOTE
AN ACT relative to fireworks display permits, the position of permissible fireworks inspector, and the sale of permissible fireworks.
FISCAL IMPACT:
The Department of Safety has determined this bill, as amended by the House (Amendment #2006-0747h), will increase state restricted expenditures by $133,573 in FY 2007, $105,012 in FY 2008, $108,392 in FY 2009, and $111,772 in FY 2010. There will be no fiscal impact on state, county and local revenue or county and local expenditures.
METHODOLOGY:
The Department states this bill will make the position of Permissible Fireworks Inspector a full-time, rather than a seasonal position. The Department has not been able to fill the Permissible Fireworks Inspector job as a part-time position. The Department has included the full-time salary and benefits as additional expenditures as follows:
FY 2007 FY 2008 FY 2009 FY 2010
Salary, LG21 $ 43,106 $ 44,800 $ 46,800 $ 48,800
Benefits @ 44% 18,967 19,712 20,592 21,472
Current Expense 3,000 3,000 3,000 3,000
Equipment 32,000 500 500 500
In-State Travel 4,500 5,000 5,500 6,000
Special Details 32,000 32,000 32,000 32,000
Total $133,573 $105,012 $108,392 $111,772
Current expense includes uniforms, protective clothing, code books, educational materials and postage. Equipment costs in the first year include a vehicle, two-way radio, portable radio, a 4-gas meter and a notebook computer. Equipment expenditures in future years will be for minor replacements and smaller items. In-state travel funds are needed for gasoline and vehicle maintenance. Special details are for illegal fireworks enforcement during peak periods of illegal transportation and sales. Special details consist of three investigator teams to perform enforcement for approximately 60 hours. Costs associated with the Permissible Fireworks Inspector position are charged to the Fire and EMS Fund.
The Department further states this bill will reduce the minimum age of persons permitted to handle and sell fireworks from 18 to 16, which will have no fiscal impact.